What health risk behaviors are associated with the experience of commercial sexual exploitation?
A substantial percentage of participants reported experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and high rates of risky behaviors, creating additional health vulnerabilities.
- 32% reported that a caregiver had been incarcerated
- 73% reported emotional neglect
- 66% reported a caregiver had a mental illness
- 44.3% experienced verbal abuse in relationships
- 29.6% experienced physical abuse in relationships
Those who self-reported exploitation were more likely than those who did not report exploitation to indicate having experienced each ACE assessed. They also reported elevated levels of substance use, including alcohol, vaping, and cigarette use, with a minority reporting use of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Reported rates in our sample are substantially higher than those reported in national samples of youth, not specific to CSE. Within our sample, those youth who reported exploitation were more likely than those who did not report exploitation to indicate having experienced each ACE assessed.
Abuse in Dating and Intimate Relationships
A larger percentage of participants reported that they had experienced abuse in their dating relationships, including verbal abuse (44.3%) and physical abuse (29.6%). The rates of abuse in dating and intimate relationships were elevated among participants who self-reported exploitation in the survey.
Substance Use
Participants, especially those who reported exploitation, reported high rates of substance use, including alcohol, vaping, and cigarette use. Though a notable minority, some youth also reported the use of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines.